Owatonna High School Alumni Association Newsletter

OHS Alumni Association
333 East School Street
Owatonna, MN 55060
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Owatonna High School Alumni Association Newsletter
The Owatonnian
Fall /Winter 2005
OHS GRAD NAMED MISS MINNESOTA
1999 OHS graduate, Karyn Stordahl was recently named Miss Minnesota 2005. A
bright and charming student while at OHS, Stordahl was also quite an accomplished
athlete, especially in golf where she was the state champion in 1999. Stordahl
continued her athletic career as a 4-time letterwinner for the University of Minnesota, where she graduated magna cum laude from the
U of M’s Carlson School of Management with a degree
in marketing. A former member of OHS’s renowned
Concert Choir and Carolers groups, Stordahl’s musical
talents were equally proficient as she performed on the
piano for the talent portion of the state pageant.
Currently Stordahl is a certified personal trainer through
the National Academy of Sports Medicine and hopes to
become a member of the Ladies Professional Golf tour
some day, or possibly use her athletic experience, business education and fitness knowledge as a professional
in the fitness industry. Karyn is also co-host of a Minnesota Golf Tour program on Fox Sports Network. Stordahl is not Owatonna’s first Miss Minnesota; that was
her former babysitter, and 1984 OHS grad, Katherine
Katherine Killen
(Killen) Hall, who was crowned in 1987.
1987 Miss Minnesota
Karyn Stordahl,
2005 Miss Minnesota
THE DIRECTORS GUILD
Tom Byrne
O
watonna High School choral music history was represented at the
2005 Big Nine Music Festival at Mankato West High School, as
three former OHS choral directors joined current director, Chris Harris
for a rare photo opportunity. From left to right, Al Zinter 1992-2003,
Roger Tenney 1961-1992, Harris 2003-present, and Adrian Johnson
1953-1961.
Al Zinter resides in Owatonna; Adrian Johnson is living in Faribault
and Roger Tenney is enjoying retirement in Eagan, Minnesota. The
Roger Tenney Chorale recently performed a reunion concert at the
Owatonna Arts Center.
D
ubuque, Iowa is Tom Byrne’s hometown; it is the town where he graduated from high school and attended Loras
Men’s College for his BA degree. He majored in Latin and minored in Spanish. He received his Master’s degree
in 1948.
Tom’s first teaching experiences were in Iowa and Wisconsin; he came to Owatonna in 1952 where he taught
Latin and Spanish until 1984 when he retired from teaching. Latin had been offered at OHS from 1921-1986
when it was eliminated from the curriculum. Spanish continues to be taught at OHS
today.
Mr. Byrne also coached football, basketball, baseball and tennis for a total of 30 years.
Baseball was always his favorite sport as an athlete, including semi-pro baseball in Orlando, Florida. His OHS tennis team won the Big 9 championship in 1969.
Tom and Mae Lou were married 52 years before she passed away. The family consists
of 5 daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Jan Byrne Bicker ‘69
lives in Highland Park, St. Paul, Minnesota; Kathy Byrne Skolte (‘70 Marian HS) resides in West St. Paul, Minnesota; Ellen Byrne Manakas ‘72 lives in Colorado Springs,
Colorado; Mary Byrn Hines (‘75 Marian HS) lives in Roseville, Minnesota, and Barb
Byrne Falzone ‘79 resides in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Tom Byrne
Mr. Byrne taught community education classes in Spanish and tennis for 35 years. Since
1954 Totem
retiring he stays young by playing golf, ping pong and tennis.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Please contact us with any updates and name/address changes for yourself, relatives or friends.
Suggestions and reunion information are also appreciated.
507.444.8885 [email protected] or via any board member
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
C
ongratulations to the 2005 recipients of the OHS Alumni Association Scholarship program. Amber Colby received a $500 2-year post-secondary scholarship, and Colin Proft was awarded a $1,000 4-year post secondary
scholarship. Amber is attending RCTC in Rochester working toward a medical
degree in nursing. Colin is attending the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point,
majoring in vocal performance; he is active in music with University Christian Fellowship and at Peace Lutheran Campus Center.
The OHS Alumni Association is proud to be able to help provide deserving
seniors the opportunity to continue their education career. Your donations to
the OHS Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee will help us continue
this program. Please consider donating funds to this program by way of gifts
or memorials. Donations may be sent to Scholarship Committee, c/o OHS
Amber Colby
Colin Proft
Alumni Association, 333 E. School St. Owatonna, MN 55060. All donations
2005
2005
are tax deductible.
Page 2 The Owatonnian
News Around The Town
Spring/Summer 2005
761 FOUNDATION CONTINUES GIVING WAYS The Independent School District 761 Foundation recently
announced that it had donated in excess of $110,000 to Steele County Schools in 2005-06. The purpose of the
foundation is to provide a source of funding outside the regular budget for things the school needs. The foundation responds to those needs by approving “mini-grants” to help teachers and administrators to get the equipment for classrooms that they need to enrich their students’ lives. For example, $24,000 was given this year in
mini-grants for district-wide training for English as a second language. Another $41,100 was approved for agriculture education for the 2005-2006 school year and it included money for OHS, Blooming Prairie, Medford,
and New Richland-Heartland-Ellendale-Geneva. Those interested in donating can send their tax deductible
gifts to District 761 Foundation, PO Box 855, Owatonna, MN 55060.
JUNIOR A HOCKEY COMES TO OWATONNA The Southern Minnesota Express is the latest edition to the North American Hockey League. Celebrating its
30th year, the NAHL is the oldest JR A Hockey League in the US. With 20 teams
in places like Ohio, Alaska, Montana, and Texas, the Express will certainly see a
lot of the country--hopefully they will come to a town near you so you can cheer
on your home team. Included on the roster are OHS Alumni James and Joel
Gaulrapp ‘03, and Sean Murphy ’05. The Express is owned by a group headed up
by the head coach of the NHL LA Kings, Andy Murray. To learn more about the
team and to check out its schedule, visit its website at www.smnexpress.com
NEW HOSPITAL UNDER CONSIDERATION Allina Hospitals and Clinics, in collaboration with Mayo
Health Systems, has announced plans to build a new, state-of-the-art $46 million facility. Located on 20 acres of
land adjacent to the new (2002) Owatonna Clinic-Mayo Health System facility, this new hospital would create a
unique medical campus serving Owatonna and surrounding communities. The City of Owatonna is currently in
discussions with Allina who is seeking a financial commitment from the community. If this moves forward, the
facility is scheduled to open in 2008 and would be located west of Interstate 35W near the airport. At this point,
hospital officials are uncertain what would become of the current hospital which dates back to the 1930’s.
UPDATE ON DAM After years of negotiations and discussions, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finally given approval to the Dam Preservation
Corporation to move forward with plans to build a new
structure in place of the current dam at Morehouse Park.
The new design consists of a bypass channel alongside
the current river, as well as a three foot concrete seawall which will protrude out of the water upriver from
the current dam. These additions are needed to address
concerns by the DNR regarding fish and wildlife travel,
as well as attempts to increase the water velocity which
ultimately will improve its quality. Due to delays with the project and the permitting process, the goal is to now
begin construction during the summer of 2006.
INCOME FROM STEELE COUNTY FREE FAIR The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce estimates that
fairgoers from outside Steele County spent more than $7 million in Owatonna and surrounding areas while in
town to attend the 2005 Steele County Free Fair. A large percentage of that money was spent on meals, despite
the many food vendors at the fair, and also included fuel, hotel, and lodging costs. With the number of reunions
annually held around fair time, it would be no surprise to find that OHS alumni contributed significantly to that
total.
OHS CONCERT CHOIR HAS GEORGIA ON ITS MIND Chris Harris, Director of the OHS Concert Choir,
recently announced plans for this group’s trip to Atlanta, Georgia, the last week of March of 2006. While no performance dates or locations have been confirmed at this point,
the choir is firming these arrangements up soon. If you live in
the Atlanta area and are interested in hearing your hometown
choir, or possibly even having them perform in your area at a
local church, school, or other appropriate venue, please contact
director Chris Harris (507.444.8869, [email protected].
mn.us) for more information.
Fall/Winter 2005
OHS Alumni Association
Board Members
Chairman
Mark Sebring, ‘79 - [email protected]
Vice Chairman/Treasurer
Kory Kath, ‘96/Staff - [email protected]
Board Members
Sheri Allen, Staff - [email protected]
Roberta Eiseman, ‘79/Staff [email protected]
Jim Herzog, Retired - [email protected]
Darryl Hill, Retired - [email protected]
Elizabeth Hollinger Okerberg, ‘75 - [email protected]
Julie (Peterson) Rohrig ‘78 - [email protected]
Ruth Thomas, staff - [email protected]
Ginny (Steele) Thompson ‘55 - [email protected]
Sandi Tobin, Staff - [email protected]
Newsletter Editors
Matt Kottke, ‘77 - [email protected]
Ginny (Steele) Thompson, ‘55 - [email protected]
Ruth Thomas, staff - [email protected]
507.444.8885
[email protected]
or via any board member
The Owatonnian Page 7
Websites
Owatonna Population
Big 9 Website - www.big9.org
Since 1900
City of Owatonna - www.ci.owatonna.mn.us
Minnesota State High School League
www.mshsl.org
Music Boosters of Owatonna
www.musicboostersofowatonna.org
OHS Alumni Association
www.owatonnaalumni.com
OHS Athletic Hall of Fame - www.ohshalloffame.com
OHS Baseball
www.geocities.com/owatonnabaseball
OHS Class of 1958 - www.ohs58.org
OHS Football - www.owatonnafootball.com
OHS Hockey - www.owatonnahockey.com
OHS Wrestling - www.owatonnawrestling.com
Owatonna School District #761
www.owatonna.k12.mn.us
Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
www.owatonna.org
Owatonna People’s Press - www.owatonna.com
St. Mary’s School - www.st.marys-owatonna.org
Steele County Free Fair - www.scff.org
Steele County Historical Society
www.steelecohistoricalsociety.org
West Hills Orphanage Museum
www.orphanagemuseum.com
watonna has grown since 1900
from a population of 5,561 to
O
23,843 in 2004 (state demographer’s
estimate). There was an average of
13% growth per decade 1900-2000,
with the largest growth occurring
between 1950 and 1960.
1900.................. 5,561
1910.................. 5,658
1920.................. 7,252
1930.................. 7,654
1940.................. 8,649
1950................ 10,191
1960................ 13,409
1970................ 15,341
1980................ 18,632
1990................ 19,386
2000................ 22,434
2004 ............... 23,843
HATS OFF TO OUR WEB TEAM
big round of cyber congratulations goes out to Nate Chesney ‘05, and his partner Tyler
Cochran ‘06, who together have developed the alumni association website (www.owaA
tonnaalumni.com). From photos of the school to links to various school and community-
related websites, these two gentlemen have put a lot of their time and talent into getting
our site up and running and we want to thank them for a job well-done. Certainly there
is a lot more that we’d like to do--and, in time, we will get there. In the meantime, take a
look, sign the guestbook and share with us your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you. And
speaking of “hearing”…turn up the sound; you will notice a familiar melody as you open
this website.
Special thanks to
Mike Jensen ‘85,
and Tri-M Graphics
for assistance in
printing
The Owatonnian.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE OHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
OHS Alumni Association 333 East School Street Owatonna, MN 55060
email: [email protected]
Name
Maiden name:
OHS class of:
Address
City:
Phone:
State:
ZIP:
Email:
Comments:
Make checks payable to OHS Alumni Association
____ I would like to become a new or renewed member of the OHS Alumni Association. Enclosed is my check for $10, the annual
membership fee (12 months from date of remittance).
____ I would like to be a lifetime member of the OHS Alumni Association. Enclosed is my check for $100.00, the lifetime membership fee.
____ I would like to make an additional donation to the OHS Alumni Association to aid in future growth in the amount $ ________.
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
Page 6 The Owatonnian
EBERT NAMED TO WINONA STATE
CENTURY TEAM
ayne Ebert, longtime OHS teacher and
coach, was recently named to the All
W
Century Football Team for Winona State Uni-
versity. Ebert played for Winona from 195557. Ebert coached football at OHS from 1958
to 1992. In addition, Ebert was Dick Black’s
assistant wrestling coach and he started the
girls’ golf program at OHS in 1998. The golf
team, consisting of Stephani Leonard Tobin ‘91, Jenny
Amazi Soden ‘92, Karla Raygor ‘92, Lynn Carothers
DiMartino ‘93, Jenny Trenda Stendahl ‘93, and Kristi
Cunningham Kaplan ‘94 placed third in the state in 1991.
OHS COLOR GUARD CHANGES
THEIR COLORS
f you had the opportunity to see the award-winning
OHS Marching Band this past summer, you may have
Inoticed
something new…or is it old? According to Pete
Guenther, OHS Band Director, “During the competitive marching season, every band’s show has a color
scheme. Times are changing in color
guard, and nowadays their uniforms
are different from the band so that they
stand out more.” About a year ago, the
color guard’s uniforms went to black to
complement the “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme they were producing; the
band remained our traditional blue and
silver. This past year they accented the
color guard uniforms with orange which
is reminiscent of the old “orange and
black” school colors OHS wore up until 1950.
YOUTH SERVICE LEADERSHIP
CLASS AT OHS
he Youth Service Leadership (YSL) program is
a one semester, one credit elective course for
T
grades 10-12 at Owatonna High School. Students
who take the course also earn credit in the graduation
standard “community interaction.” It is based on the
belief that youth have the energy and enthusiasm to
“reach out” and make a difference in the community.
The students are bused to and from their service site
experience.
YSL is divided into two learning environments. The
community experience where students spend three
days a week doing volunteer work in various community settings such as nursing homes, pre-schools,
elementary classrooms and community agencies
such as Senior Place, Food Shelf, Salvation Army,
Red Cross, etc.
The classroom experience is held two days a week
and includes seminars, some with guest speakers,
class projects, team building, communication, and
leadership skills.
Evaluation of student performance is based on
community supervisors, students and the instructor.
Students keep a journal, do a project on site, a book
review and are also required to perform service
hours beyond the school day.
“Before YSL, I didn’t care about anything going
on in the community, but that has changed. Now,
I want to reach out and help others,” said Fadumo
Moalim ‘05.
Fall/Winter 2005
2006 Reunion Rumblings
Class of 1932 - Annual reunion
September 10, 2006 - Elks Club
Classes of 1943 and a half and 1944
August 19, 2006 - Grand Hotel
Jane Luedtke Starks 507.451.2925
The Owatonnian
ur database of addresses is growing, and with it so does the geographical area that we cover. Recently we added the names of
O
a couple of alumni from the state of Rhode Island which means we
now have OHS alumni spread out over all 50 of
the United States. We even have addresses of 63
people in 27 different foreign countries, including
11 alum located in Canada (strangely, none thus far
in Mexico).
Thanks to all of the individuals from the various
classes who share with us their updated class lists
so that we can keep our database current. And special thanks to Ruth Thomas who has maintained
the database for us since our inception.
Class of 1956 - 50th reunion
July 28-29
Chad Lange 507.446.7703
Class of 1961 - 45th reulnion
August 4, 5, 6 - Owatonna Grand Hotel
Mike Keefe 507.257.3495
[email protected].
Class of 1976 - 30th reunion
July 29, 2006, Eagles Club
Diane Frizzell Racek 507.451.6123
All 50’s Reunion
July 28, 2006, 5-midnight, Beer Garden
July 29, 2006, 5-midnight, 4 Seasons Center
Charlie Peterson ‘57, [email protected]
All 60’s in 06
August 5, 2006, 4 Seasons Center
Tom Grunwald ‘68, [email protected]
Lynda Johnson ‘68, [email protected]
The bands of the 60’s are reuniting! Check
website owatonna60sreunion.myevent.
com for complete schedule of events.
Please contact Ginny Thompson, 1955
Sunlight Ave. SE, Owatonna MN 55060,
507.451.9595, [email protected]
with reunion information.
Phil Hammitt ‘05
in Ellen Peterson’s
first grade room at
McKinley.
urrent Activities Director Jeff Dahline and OHS Football Coach Jeff Williams are looking into the possiC
bility of putting synthetic turf down on the football field
Marissa Mielke ‘05
volunteered at Owatonna
Hospital.
Natalie Allgood ‘05, on right,
interviews Gail Lipelt for the
senior citizen Legacy Box
project.
Page 3
OHS ALUMNI ALL OVER THE WORLD
Alumni Association Memorials/Donations
M
emorials have been received from Jill Hallenberger, ‘85 and Arlene
Thompson Loney ‘36 in memory of Harvey Golberg. A donation was
made to the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund from the class of 1960 in
memory of Ken Bey. A memorial was received from Gordon ‘35 and Jannette Cruikshank in memory of Ken Cruikshank, class of 1925. Memorials
have been received from Matt ‘77 and Lisa (Fjalstad ‘83) Kottke in memory
of Lori Hilstad Daane ‘83, Mollie Hart Overson ‘77, and Harvey Golberg.
Memorials may be sent to OHS Alumni Association, 333 East School
St., Owatonna, MN 55060.
TEACHERS REMEMBERED
A
number of our former teachers have passed away during this past year.
We fondly remember: Dorothy Claesgens, Harvey Golberg, Merle Maher, Hugh Miller (’43 OHS grad), and Roland Rathe.
PROM HELD OFFSITE
GROUP LOOKS AT POSSIBILITY OF
DOMED ATHLETIC FACILITY
(similar to the Metrodome) and installing an inflatable
dome (bubble) over the field and possibly the track surfaces. The goal would be to cover this surface between
November to April with the hope of being able to help
alleviate the athletic space
crunch Owatonna faces and
to extend the season for numerous sports such as track
and soccer when Minnesota
winters are playing havoc
with our practice sessions. Early estimates have this
project running approximately $2-2.5 million. Again,
this is just in the early research stages, as a lot of hurdles
have to be crossed before this idea is considered.
Fall/Winter 2005
Can anyone remember an
OHS Prom being held offsite?
Well it happened this past
year as the 2005 OHS Prom
was held at the Four Seasons Multi-Purpose Building
at the Steele County Fairgrounds. In the early years of
OHS, Prom was held in the
gym, where the hosts of the
event (the junior class members), were in charge of organizing and decorating for the Kyle Radel, Katie McKey, Cassie Nakagaki, Troy Severson,
big night. In recent years the Ruth Satterlund, and Scott Slarks, all class of 2005, ready
Grand March was held in the for the Grand March at the Four Seasons Centre.
gymnasium in front of hundreds of family and friends, with the dance taking place later in the cafeteria. With the numbers on the rise for those both attending and watching the evening’s festivities, the event literally grew out of its shell, and
on to the Four Seasons it went. This facility is also the home of OHS
commencement exercises, and therefore, is a fitting place to help cap off
the seniors’ high school career.
2006 Strive for
Scholarship Run
The annual Rotary Club/SCFF 4mile run has been set for August
19, 2006, starting at 9 A.M. according to Gary Ridge the 4-mile run
coordinator.
Alumni Co-Sponsor a
Float for Homecoming
O
ur OHS Alumni Association cosponsored the OHS drama float
for the 2005 Homecoming parade on
October 7. This is the third year the association has sponsored a float.
“Meet Me in
St. Louis”
float cosponsored
by alumni
association.
The Owatonnian
Page 4 Not forgetting that she
teaches reading, Mrs.
Veencamp reads with her
son, Scott ‘72 at home.
1963 Totem
The 1942 Totem was
dedicated to Mr. Imbody,
OHS principal, as he left
for military service but
later returned to principal
position.
1942 Totem
Fall/Winter
Class of 1950 dedicates
their yearbook to Coach
Paul Becker (“Beck”) for
his integrity and personal
resourcefulness and for
establishing Owatonna
on the sports map of
Minnesota.
1950 Totem
Nels Thompson,
science, smiles as he
listens to his students.
1998 Glyph
Miss Mildred Mann, math, and Miss
Hazel Berglund, business, taught
their last classes this year.
1967 Totem
For eager teachers seized my youth,
pruned my faith and trimmed my
fire. Showed me the high, white star
of truth, there bade me gaze and
there aspire. ~ Matthew Arnold
The 1944-45 OHS coaching staff included: Mr.
Burma and Mr. Becker (football and track) Mr.
Kottke (baseball and golf), Mr. Day and Mr.
Grose (wrestling), Mr. Hoffman (baseball). Miss
Haas directed girls’ physical education.
1945 Totem
The task of the excellent teacher is to
stimulate apparently ordinary people to
unusual effort. The tough problem is not in
identifying winners: it is in making winners
out of ordinary people. ~ K. Patricia Cross
?
Mr. Moline, Mr. Herzog and Mr.
Hill, OHS administrators, discuss the
closing of Marian High School and
how it caused overcrowding at OHS.
1976 Totem
To know how to
suggest is the art
of teaching.
~ Henri-Frédéric
Amiel
“Good morning,” says John Burma to
colleagues Wagner Collins and Helen
Steppe as they check their mailboxes.
1953 Totem
“ Education is the key
that unlocks all doors.”
~ Mij Ebank
?
Mark Gitch, orchestra, directs
the symphony orchestra during
the first skinny of period three.
Looking pleased with
himself, Mr. Muir prepares
his next lesson.
1980 Totem
Mr. Jacobi, social studies,
says, “Water is a playground
for all and a training ground
for many.”
1960 Totem
Mr. Greier, math, Mr.
Black, industrial arts, and
Mr. Lian, band, form a
human chain to reach a
sinking golf ball.
1961 Totem
Who is this?
New principal, Sheri Allen, takes
time to flash a smile during her
busy schedule.
2002 Glyph
Gary Seykora, art, shows how
excited he is about working
with clay.
1998 Glyph
Mrs. Knutson shows sons
Gaylord 65, and Paul ‘68,
the art of writing on the
blackboard.
1955 Totem
After dairy judging Mr. Edin takes time to
inspect a Guernsey calf.
1965 Totem
Social studies staff: R. Stockton, V. Hart, E. Habiger, H.
Havig, O.Lehman, L. Frye, and G. Preus.
1946 Totem
?
?
Mr. Keefe, industrial arts teacher, shows
students how to jump the hurdles.
1961 Totem
Page 5
“Being a liberated woman gives Ms. Sarah
Doman many freedoms.”
1978 Totem
“It doesn’t hurt a bit!”
Miss Melbostad reassures
Sharon Stark ‘56 before her
Mantoux test.
1956 Totem
The music department
quartet--Mr. Holland, Mr.
Tenney, Mr. Lacina, and Mr.
Krueger.
1976 Totem
The Owatonnian
Fall/Winter 2005
Ev Berg brain works intently
on another infamous senior
social test.
1980 Totem
Chinese
Proverb:
Teachers open
the door, but
you must enter
by yourself.
Mr. Marschel, a teacher for
Mass Media, develops a oneon-one relationship with his
equipment.
1977 Totem
“Here I am!” says Mr. Moat,
science teacher.
1985 Totem
Roger Reis, social studies, poses
with his “poverty tree” and jar
of pennies for poverty.
1993 Totem
“A teacher affects eternity; he can
never tell where his influence
stops.” ~ Henry Brooks Adams
TEACHERS - THEY HELPED BUILD OUR FUTURE!
Page 6 The Owatonnian
EBERT NAMED TO WINONA STATE
CENTURY TEAM
ayne Ebert, longtime OHS teacher and
coach, was recently named to the All
W
Century Football Team for Winona State Uni-
versity. Ebert played for Winona from 195557. Ebert coached football at OHS from 1958
to 1992. In addition, Ebert was Dick Black’s
assistant wrestling coach and he started the
girls’ golf program at OHS in 1998. The golf
team, consisting of Stephani Leonard Tobin ‘91, Jenny
Amazi Soden ‘92, Karla Raygor ‘92, Lynn Carothers
DiMartino ‘93, Jenny Trenda Stendahl ‘93, and Kristi
Cunningham Kaplan ‘94 placed third in the state in 1991.
OHS COLOR GUARD CHANGES
THEIR COLORS
f you had the opportunity to see the award-winning
OHS Marching Band this past summer, you may have
Inoticed
something new…or is it old? According to Pete
Guenther, OHS Band Director, “During the competitive marching season, every band’s show has a color
scheme. Times are changing in color
guard, and nowadays their uniforms
are different from the band so that they
stand out more.” About a year ago, the
color guard’s uniforms went to black to
complement the “Pirates of the Caribbean” theme they were producing; the
band remained our traditional blue and
silver. This past year they accented the
color guard uniforms with orange which
is reminiscent of the old “orange and
black” school colors OHS wore up until 1950.
YOUTH SERVICE LEADERSHIP
CLASS AT OHS
he Youth Service Leadership (YSL) program is
a one semester, one credit elective course for
T
grades 10-12 at Owatonna High School. Students
who take the course also earn credit in the graduation
standard “community interaction.” It is based on the
belief that youth have the energy and enthusiasm to
“reach out” and make a difference in the community.
The students are bused to and from their service site
experience.
YSL is divided into two learning environments. The
community experience where students spend three
days a week doing volunteer work in various community settings such as nursing homes, pre-schools,
elementary classrooms and community agencies
such as Senior Place, Food Shelf, Salvation Army,
Red Cross, etc.
The classroom experience is held two days a week
and includes seminars, some with guest speakers,
class projects, team building, communication, and
leadership skills.
Evaluation of student performance is based on
community supervisors, students and the instructor.
Students keep a journal, do a project on site, a book
review and are also required to perform service
hours beyond the school day.
“Before YSL, I didn’t care about anything going
on in the community, but that has changed. Now,
I want to reach out and help others,” said Fadumo
Moalim ‘05.
Fall/Winter 2005
2006 Reunion Rumblings
Class of 1932 - Annual reunion
September 10, 2006 - Elks Club
Classes of 1943 and a half and 1944
August 19, 2006 - Grand Hotel
Jane Luedtke Starks 507.451.2925
The Owatonnian
ur database of addresses is growing, and with it so does the geographical area that we cover. Recently we added the names of
O
a couple of alumni from the state of Rhode Island which means we
now have OHS alumni spread out over all 50 of
the United States. We even have addresses of 63
people in 27 different foreign countries, including
11 alum located in Canada (strangely, none thus far
in Mexico).
Thanks to all of the individuals from the various
classes who share with us their updated class lists
so that we can keep our database current. And special thanks to Ruth Thomas who has maintained
the database for us since our inception.
Class of 1956 - 50th reunion
July 28-29
Chad Lange 507.446.7703
Class of 1961 - 45th reulnion
August 4, 5, 6 - Owatonna Grand Hotel
Mike Keefe 507.257.3495
[email protected].
Class of 1976 - 30th reunion
July 29, 2006, Eagles Club
Diane Frizzell Racek 507.451.6123
All 50’s Reunion
July 28, 2006, 5-midnight, Beer Garden
July 29, 2006, 5-midnight, 4 Seasons Center
Charlie Peterson ‘57, [email protected]
All 60’s in 06
August 5, 2006, 4 Seasons Center
Tom Grunwald ‘68, [email protected]
Lynda Johnson ‘68, [email protected]
The bands of the 60’s are reuniting! Check
website owatonna60sreunion.myevent.
com for complete schedule of events.
Please contact Ginny Thompson, 1955
Sunlight Ave. SE, Owatonna MN 55060,
507.451.9595, [email protected]
with reunion information.
Phil Hammitt ‘05
in Ellen Peterson’s
first grade room at
McKinley.
urrent Activities Director Jeff Dahline and OHS Football Coach Jeff Williams are looking into the possiC
bility of putting synthetic turf down on the football field
Marissa Mielke ‘05
volunteered at Owatonna
Hospital.
Natalie Allgood ‘05, on right,
interviews Gail Lipelt for the
senior citizen Legacy Box
project.
Page 3
OHS ALUMNI ALL OVER THE WORLD
Alumni Association Memorials/Donations
M
emorials have been received from Jill Hallenberger, ‘85 and Arlene
Thompson Loney ‘36 in memory of Harvey Golberg. A donation was
made to the Alumni Association Scholarship Fund from the class of 1960 in
memory of Ken Bey. A memorial was received from Gordon ‘35 and Jannette Cruikshank in memory of Ken Cruikshank, class of 1925. Memorials
have been received from Matt ‘77 and Lisa (Fjalstad ‘83) Kottke in memory
of Lori Hilstad Daane ‘83, Mollie Hart Overson ‘77, and Harvey Golberg.
Memorials may be sent to OHS Alumni Association, 333 East School
St., Owatonna, MN 55060.
TEACHERS REMEMBERED
A
number of our former teachers have passed away during this past year.
We fondly remember: Dorothy Claesgens, Harvey Golberg, Merle Maher, Hugh Miller (’43 OHS grad), and Roland Rathe.
PROM HELD OFFSITE
GROUP LOOKS AT POSSIBILITY OF
DOMED ATHLETIC FACILITY
(similar to the Metrodome) and installing an inflatable
dome (bubble) over the field and possibly the track surfaces. The goal would be to cover this surface between
November to April with the hope of being able to help
alleviate the athletic space
crunch Owatonna faces and
to extend the season for numerous sports such as track
and soccer when Minnesota
winters are playing havoc
with our practice sessions. Early estimates have this
project running approximately $2-2.5 million. Again,
this is just in the early research stages, as a lot of hurdles
have to be crossed before this idea is considered.
Fall/Winter 2005
Can anyone remember an
OHS Prom being held offsite?
Well it happened this past
year as the 2005 OHS Prom
was held at the Four Seasons Multi-Purpose Building
at the Steele County Fairgrounds. In the early years of
OHS, Prom was held in the
gym, where the hosts of the
event (the junior class members), were in charge of organizing and decorating for the Kyle Radel, Katie McKey, Cassie Nakagaki, Troy Severson,
big night. In recent years the Ruth Satterlund, and Scott Slarks, all class of 2005, ready
Grand March was held in the for the Grand March at the Four Seasons Centre.
gymnasium in front of hundreds of family and friends, with the dance taking place later in the cafeteria. With the numbers on the rise for those both attending and watching the evening’s festivities, the event literally grew out of its shell, and
on to the Four Seasons it went. This facility is also the home of OHS
commencement exercises, and therefore, is a fitting place to help cap off
the seniors’ high school career.
2006 Strive for
Scholarship Run
The annual Rotary Club/SCFF 4mile run has been set for August
19, 2006, starting at 9 A.M. according to Gary Ridge the 4-mile run
coordinator.
Alumni Co-Sponsor a
Float for Homecoming
O
ur OHS Alumni Association cosponsored the OHS drama float
for the 2005 Homecoming parade on
October 7. This is the third year the association has sponsored a float.
“Meet Me in
St. Louis”
float cosponsored
by alumni
association.
Page 2 The Owatonnian
News Around The Town
Spring/Summer 2005
761 FOUNDATION CONTINUES GIVING WAYS The Independent School District 761 Foundation recently
announced that it had donated in excess of $110,000 to Steele County Schools in 2005-06. The purpose of the
foundation is to provide a source of funding outside the regular budget for things the school needs. The foundation responds to those needs by approving “mini-grants” to help teachers and administrators to get the equipment for classrooms that they need to enrich their students’ lives. For example, $24,000 was given this year in
mini-grants for district-wide training for English as a second language. Another $41,100 was approved for agriculture education for the 2005-2006 school year and it included money for OHS, Blooming Prairie, Medford,
and New Richland-Heartland-Ellendale-Geneva. Those interested in donating can send their tax deductible
gifts to District 761 Foundation, PO Box 855, Owatonna, MN 55060.
JUNIOR A HOCKEY COMES TO OWATONNA The Southern Minnesota Express is the latest edition to the North American Hockey League. Celebrating its
30th year, the NAHL is the oldest JR A Hockey League in the US. With 20 teams
in places like Ohio, Alaska, Montana, and Texas, the Express will certainly see a
lot of the country--hopefully they will come to a town near you so you can cheer
on your home team. Included on the roster are OHS Alumni James and Joel
Gaulrapp ‘03, and Sean Murphy ’05. The Express is owned by a group headed up
by the head coach of the NHL LA Kings, Andy Murray. To learn more about the
team and to check out its schedule, visit its website at www.smnexpress.com
NEW HOSPITAL UNDER CONSIDERATION Allina Hospitals and Clinics, in collaboration with Mayo
Health Systems, has announced plans to build a new, state-of-the-art $46 million facility. Located on 20 acres of
land adjacent to the new (2002) Owatonna Clinic-Mayo Health System facility, this new hospital would create a
unique medical campus serving Owatonna and surrounding communities. The City of Owatonna is currently in
discussions with Allina who is seeking a financial commitment from the community. If this moves forward, the
facility is scheduled to open in 2008 and would be located west of Interstate 35W near the airport. At this point,
hospital officials are uncertain what would become of the current hospital which dates back to the 1930’s.
UPDATE ON DAM After years of negotiations and discussions, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finally given approval to the Dam Preservation
Corporation to move forward with plans to build a new
structure in place of the current dam at Morehouse Park.
The new design consists of a bypass channel alongside
the current river, as well as a three foot concrete seawall which will protrude out of the water upriver from
the current dam. These additions are needed to address
concerns by the DNR regarding fish and wildlife travel,
as well as attempts to increase the water velocity which
ultimately will improve its quality. Due to delays with the project and the permitting process, the goal is to now
begin construction during the summer of 2006.
INCOME FROM STEELE COUNTY FREE FAIR The Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce estimates that
fairgoers from outside Steele County spent more than $7 million in Owatonna and surrounding areas while in
town to attend the 2005 Steele County Free Fair. A large percentage of that money was spent on meals, despite
the many food vendors at the fair, and also included fuel, hotel, and lodging costs. With the number of reunions
annually held around fair time, it would be no surprise to find that OHS alumni contributed significantly to that
total.
OHS CONCERT CHOIR HAS GEORGIA ON ITS MIND Chris Harris, Director of the OHS Concert Choir,
recently announced plans for this group’s trip to Atlanta, Georgia, the last week of March of 2006. While no performance dates or locations have been confirmed at this point,
the choir is firming these arrangements up soon. If you live in
the Atlanta area and are interested in hearing your hometown
choir, or possibly even having them perform in your area at a
local church, school, or other appropriate venue, please contact
director Chris Harris (507.444.8869, [email protected].
mn.us) for more information.
Fall/Winter 2005
OHS Alumni Association
Board Members
Chairman
Mark Sebring, ‘79 - [email protected]
Vice Chairman/Treasurer
Kory Kath, ‘96/Staff - [email protected]
Board Members
Sheri Allen, Staff - [email protected]
Roberta Eiseman, ‘79/Staff [email protected]
Jim Herzog, Retired - [email protected]
Darryl Hill, Retired - [email protected]
Elizabeth Hollinger Okerberg, ‘75 - [email protected]
Julie (Peterson) Rohrig ‘78 - [email protected]
Ruth Thomas, staff - [email protected]
Ginny (Steele) Thompson ‘55 - [email protected]
Sandi Tobin, Staff - [email protected]
Newsletter Editors
Matt Kottke, ‘77 - [email protected]
Ginny (Steele) Thompson, ‘55 - [email protected]
Ruth Thomas, staff - [email protected]
507.444.8885
[email protected]
or via any board member
The Owatonnian Page 7
Websites
Owatonna Population
Big 9 Website - www.big9.org
Since 1900
City of Owatonna - www.ci.owatonna.mn.us
Minnesota State High School League
www.mshsl.org
Music Boosters of Owatonna
www.musicboostersofowatonna.org
OHS Alumni Association
www.owatonnaalumni.com
OHS Athletic Hall of Fame - www.ohshalloffame.com
OHS Baseball
www.geocities.com/owatonnabaseball
OHS Class of 1958 - www.ohs58.org
OHS Football - www.owatonnafootball.com
OHS Hockey - www.owatonnahockey.com
OHS Wrestling - www.owatonnawrestling.com
Owatonna School District #761
www.owatonna.k12.mn.us
Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism
www.owatonna.org
Owatonna People’s Press - www.owatonna.com
St. Mary’s School - www.st.marys-owatonna.org
Steele County Free Fair - www.scff.org
Steele County Historical Society
www.steelecohistoricalsociety.org
West Hills Orphanage Museum
www.orphanagemuseum.com
watonna has grown since 1900
from a population of 5,561 to
O
23,843 in 2004 (state demographer’s
estimate). There was an average of
13% growth per decade 1900-2000,
with the largest growth occurring
between 1950 and 1960.
1900.................. 5,561
1910.................. 5,658
1920.................. 7,252
1930.................. 7,654
1940.................. 8,649
1950................ 10,191
1960................ 13,409
1970................ 15,341
1980................ 18,632
1990................ 19,386
2000................ 22,434
2004 ............... 23,843
HATS OFF TO OUR WEB TEAM
big round of cyber congratulations goes out to Nate Chesney ‘05, and his partner Tyler
Cochran ‘06, who together have developed the alumni association website (www.owaA
tonnaalumni.com). From photos of the school to links to various school and community-
related websites, these two gentlemen have put a lot of their time and talent into getting
our site up and running and we want to thank them for a job well-done. Certainly there
is a lot more that we’d like to do--and, in time, we will get there. In the meantime, take a
look, sign the guestbook and share with us your thoughts. We’d love to hear from you. And
speaking of “hearing”…turn up the sound; you will notice a familiar melody as you open
this website.
Special thanks to
Mike Jensen ‘85,
and Tri-M Graphics
for assistance in
printing
The Owatonnian.
BECOME A MEMBER OF THE OHS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
OHS Alumni Association 333 East School Street Owatonna, MN 55060
email: [email protected]
Name
Maiden name:
OHS class of:
Address
City:
Phone:
State:
ZIP:
Email:
Comments:
Make checks payable to OHS Alumni Association
____ I would like to become a new or renewed member of the OHS Alumni Association. Enclosed is my check for $10, the annual
membership fee (12 months from date of remittance).
____ I would like to be a lifetime member of the OHS Alumni Association. Enclosed is my check for $100.00, the lifetime membership fee.
____ I would like to make an additional donation to the OHS Alumni Association to aid in future growth in the amount $ ________.
a 501(c)3 non-profit organization
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Owatonna, MN 55060
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Permit No. 41
Owatonna High School Alumni Association Newsletter
The Owatonnian
Fall /Winter 2005
OHS GRAD NAMED MISS MINNESOTA
1999 OHS graduate, Karyn Stordahl was recently named Miss Minnesota 2005. A
bright and charming student while at OHS, Stordahl was also quite an accomplished
athlete, especially in golf where she was the state champion in 1999. Stordahl
continued her athletic career as a 4-time letterwinner for the University of Minnesota, where she graduated magna cum laude from the
U of M’s Carlson School of Management with a degree
in marketing. A former member of OHS’s renowned
Concert Choir and Carolers groups, Stordahl’s musical
talents were equally proficient as she performed on the
piano for the talent portion of the state pageant.
Currently Stordahl is a certified personal trainer through
the National Academy of Sports Medicine and hopes to
become a member of the Ladies Professional Golf tour
some day, or possibly use her athletic experience, business education and fitness knowledge as a professional
in the fitness industry. Karyn is also co-host of a Minnesota Golf Tour program on Fox Sports Network. Stordahl is not Owatonna’s first Miss Minnesota; that was
her former babysitter, and 1984 OHS grad, Katherine
Katherine Killen
(Killen) Hall, who was crowned in 1987.
1987 Miss Minnesota
Karyn Stordahl,
2005 Miss Minnesota
THE DIRECTORS GUILD
Tom Byrne
O
watonna High School choral music history was represented at the
2005 Big Nine Music Festival at Mankato West High School, as
three former OHS choral directors joined current director, Chris Harris
for a rare photo opportunity. From left to right, Al Zinter 1992-2003,
Roger Tenney 1961-1992, Harris 2003-present, and Adrian Johnson
1953-1961.
Al Zinter resides in Owatonna; Adrian Johnson is living in Faribault
and Roger Tenney is enjoying retirement in Eagan, Minnesota. The
Roger Tenney Chorale recently performed a reunion concert at the
Owatonna Arts Center.
D
ubuque, Iowa is Tom Byrne’s hometown; it is the town where he graduated from high school and attended Loras
Men’s College for his BA degree. He majored in Latin and minored in Spanish. He received his Master’s degree
in 1948.
Tom’s first teaching experiences were in Iowa and Wisconsin; he came to Owatonna in 1952 where he taught
Latin and Spanish until 1984 when he retired from teaching. Latin had been offered at OHS from 1921-1986
when it was eliminated from the curriculum. Spanish continues to be taught at OHS
today.
Mr. Byrne also coached football, basketball, baseball and tennis for a total of 30 years.
Baseball was always his favorite sport as an athlete, including semi-pro baseball in Orlando, Florida. His OHS tennis team won the Big 9 championship in 1969.
Tom and Mae Lou were married 52 years before she passed away. The family consists
of 5 daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Jan Byrne Bicker ‘69
lives in Highland Park, St. Paul, Minnesota; Kathy Byrne Skolte (‘70 Marian HS) resides in West St. Paul, Minnesota; Ellen Byrne Manakas ‘72 lives in Colorado Springs,
Colorado; Mary Byrn Hines (‘75 Marian HS) lives in Roseville, Minnesota, and Barb
Byrne Falzone ‘79 resides in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.
Tom Byrne
Mr. Byrne taught community education classes in Spanish and tennis for 35 years. Since
1954 Totem
retiring he stays young by playing golf, ping pong and tennis.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!!
Please contact us with any updates and name/address changes for yourself, relatives or friends.
Suggestions and reunion information are also appreciated.
507.444.8885 [email protected] or via any board member
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
C
ongratulations to the 2005 recipients of the OHS Alumni Association Scholarship program. Amber Colby received a $500 2-year post-secondary scholarship, and Colin Proft was awarded a $1,000 4-year post secondary
scholarship. Amber is attending RCTC in Rochester working toward a medical
degree in nursing. Colin is attending the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point,
majoring in vocal performance; he is active in music with University Christian Fellowship and at Peace Lutheran Campus Center.
The OHS Alumni Association is proud to be able to help provide deserving
seniors the opportunity to continue their education career. Your donations to
the OHS Alumni Association’s Scholarship Committee will help us continue
this program. Please consider donating funds to this program by way of gifts
or memorials. Donations may be sent to Scholarship Committee, c/o OHS
Amber Colby
Colin Proft
Alumni Association, 333 E. School St. Owatonna, MN 55060. All donations
2005
2005
are tax deductible.